Southern Funeral Chapel

11/07/2025

Jimmy Ray Dendy, 83, passed away at his home in Houston on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. He was born on October 18, 1942, to the late Benny Dendy and the late Ethel Irene Heair Dendy, in Houston Mississippi.
Jimmy Dendy lived his life in service of others. While in his late teens and early twenties, he served in our United States Navy. His dedication and commitment to our freedom was a big part of his personality. After leaving the service, he spent the next 31 years as an employee of Bell South Telephone Company working in several different areas and positions in various counties of North MS.
He was a devoted husband to his wife Sharon, and proved wrong the ones who said “It will never last.” Their marriage lasted for over forty-seven and a half years here on this earth until she unexpectedly left us for her heavenly home. Their love survived a move from Louisiana, raising four children, family vacations that included road trips to the Eastern seaboard and Canada, the great Alaskan adventure, and a mission trip deep into central Mexico. Although Jimmy and Sharon could not give their children every physical thing they wanted, they gave them memories that would last a lifetime. They gave them a love for new experiences, new people and travel. They gave them the world. He loved his sons-in-law and daughter-in-law as if they belonged to him but there was never any doubt that his heartbeat was his grandchildren. Countless memories were made at campgrounds all over North MS. The expected arrival of his first great grandchild (arriving in March 2026) was something he shared with everyone.
This man full of faith for his Savior, love for his Country, and an absolute endless love for his family will be greatly missed.
Southern Funeral Home has the honor of serving the Dendy Family.
Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 2:00pm at Southern Funeral Home. Visitations will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the funeral home and Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at the funeral home. Interment will be held at Houston City Cemetery, with Rev. Glenn Dendy and Ethan Dendy officiating.
Pallbearers will be Hunter Dendy, Ethan Dendy, Austin Dendy, James Tedford, Ronald Carmenate, and Jeremiah Eldridge
Jimmy is survived by his children, Glenn Dendy (Sonya) of New Albany, Douglas Dendy of Madrid, Iowa, Evelyn Dendy Tedford (James) of Pontotoc, and Christy Dendy Carmenate (Ronald) of Houston; sisters, Ruby Price (Bobby) of Houston and Bobbie Jo Gambrell of Walkersville, Maryland; grandchildren, Hunter Dendy, Ethan Dendy, Austin Dendy, Kaitlyn Dendy, Charity Eldridge (Jeremiah),
Kimberly Tedford, Heather Tedford, and Jeremiah Carmenate; soon to be great-granddaughter, Ella Connie Eldridge; sister-in-law, Nancy Dendy; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Benny and Ethel Heair Dendy; wife, Sharon Magner Dendy;siblings, Benny Dendy and his wife Elaine, Robert Dendy, and Irene Dendy Turner and her husband Wayne; and brother-in-law, Bill Gambrell.
Expression of sympathy may be left for the family at www.southernfuneralchapel.com

11/06/2025

Jimmy Dendy
Houston-Jimmy Ray Dendy, 83, passed away at home with family at his side on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 2:00 at Southern Funeral Home in Houston. Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 8 from 5:00 until 7:00 at Southern Funeral Home. There will also be a visitation on Sunday, November 9 from 1:00 until service time at 2:00 at the funeral home.

Please remember the Dendy family in your prayers during this time of loss.

A complete obituary will be posted as soon as available.

Southern Funeral Home, Inc. Welcomes You. Since 1987, Southern Funeral Home, Inc. has provided dedicated and compassionate care to families of Houston, Mississippi and surrounding communities. Our funeral home offers a range of personalized services for families to honor their loved ones and remembe

10/28/2025

Jerrel Mann
Houston-Jerrel Wayne Mann, 76, passed away at his home in Thorn with his family at his side on Monday, October 27, 2025. He was born in Bruce on June 6, 1949 to Tommie Lee Mann and Emma Lou Dye Mann. He was a member of Macedonia Methodist Church. He started out working as a welder and spent several years working for Foster & Easley Manufacturing, helping them with sweet potato diggers. Then he opened Mann’s Muffler Shop in Houston, which he operated for around 15 years. He enjoyed racing horses and going to horse races all over the state of Mississippi and Louisiana. At one time, he had a quarter horse ranked the fastest in Mississippi. One of his hobbies that he worked hard at was raising chickens. He gave away many a bucket full of eggs to those in need. He also was a great cook and loved sharing his food with others. He especially enjoyed baking pies and cakes. Jerrel lived life to the fullest and went all in with everything he did. He will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 2:00 at Macedonia Methodist Church with Bro. Steve Lampkin officiating. Burial will follow in Macedonia Cemetery. There will be a visitation at the church starting at 12:00 until service time at 2:00. A visitation will also be held on Wednesday, October 29 at Southern Funeral Home in Houston from 5:00 until 7:00.
Serving as pallbearers will be Luke Byars, Jerry Black, Steve Duncan, Frankie Smith, Jr. , Matthew Harville and Waymon Kincade. Honorary pallbearers are James Wayne Smith, Larkin Gore, David “Sumo” Duncan, and the men of Macedonia Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Teresa Griffin Mann of Thorn; his son, David Mann of Thorn; his daughter, Tabitha Mann Cheney of Thorn; his stepdaughters, Kim Lancaster (Jason) of Houston and Wanda Sweeny (Doug) of Okolona; his sister, Heneritta Mann of Houston; his granddaughter, Kimberly Danielle Cheney; and his great grandson, Tripp Winter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tommie Lee and Emma Lou Mann; his first wife, Margie Black Mann; and his sister, Jimmie Faye Mann.
Southern Funeral Home of Houston is honored to serve the Mann family.
Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.southernfuneralchapel.com

10/28/2025

Jerrel Mann
Houston-Jerrell Wayne Mann passed away at home with family at his side on Monday, October 27, 2025.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 2:00pm at Macedonia Methodist Church with Bro. Steve Lampkin officiating. Burial will follow in Macedonia Cemetery. There will be a visitation at the church from 12:00pm until service time.
A visitation will also be held on Wednesday, October 29 at Southern Funeral Home in Houston from 5:00pm until 7:00pm.
Southern Funeral Home of Houston is honored to serve his family.

Please keep Mr. Mann's family in your prayers during this difficult time.

A complete obituary will be posted as soon as available.

10/28/2025

Keith Whitt
Houlka-Scott Keith Whitt, 55, passed away at his home in Houlka on Friday, October 24, 2025. Born July 3, 1970, in Amory, he was the son of the late James Buddy Whitt and the late Janice Carol Russell. Keith attended Houston High School, and he was of Christian faith. Keith was a farmer by trade for most of his life. He loved to be outside driving a tractor; that is where he was most happy. If he was not working, he always liked to be outside piddling around. He was always able to find him something that needed to be tinkered with. He also enjoyed going fishing when he was able. Keith loved his family dearly, and he showed love to them any chance he had.
Keith was loved by his family and friends, and they will forever remember him in their hearts.
Funeral Services celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 2:00pm at Southern Funeral Home.
Burial will follow in Concord Cemetery.
Visitation will also be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 12:00 pm until service time at Southern Funeral Home.
Southern Funeral Home has the honor of serving Keith’s family.
Pallbearers will be Doug Smith, James Ashton Whitt, Tim Dobbins, Jimmy Dobbins, Doyle Ray Criddle and Brandon Cook.
Honorary pallbearer will be J.T. Whitt
He is survived by his wife, Frances Whitt of Illinois; sons, James Ashton Whitt (Kiersten Bell) of Illinois, Joshua Irby of Mississippi, and Douglas Smith (Cynthia) of Eupora; daughter, Aubri Purvis (Austin Griffin) of Pachuta, Mississippi; brothers, Tim Dobbin of Houston and Jimmy Dobbins of Houston; sisters, Diane Staten (Ricky) of Aberdeen and Gwen Dobbins of Ackerman; grandchildren, Hayden RaeLynn Whitt, Ava Irene Irby, River Mikail Irby, Kaleb Smith, Karson Zane Proctor, Kyler Dominic Proctor, and River James Griffin (arriving soon); and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by parents, Buddy Whitt and Janice Carol Russell McDonald; brother, Mike Whitt; and his infant sister.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations to the funeral home toward funeral expenses.

Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.southernfuneralchapel.com

10/24/2025

Scott Keith Whitt, 55, passed away at his home in Houlka on Friday, October 24, 2025.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at Southern Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 2:00pm at Southern Funeral Home.
A complete obituary will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
Please keep Keith’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

10/23/2025

David Long
Houston-Thomas David Long, 78, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at North MS Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born on September 24, 1947 in Chickasaw County in the Hot Air community to Jesse James Long and Maybell Whitt Long. David was a member of Arbor Grove Baptist Church.
Southern Funeral Home of Houston is honored to serve the Long family.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 1:00 at Southern Funeral Home with Danny Wooldridge officiating. Burial will follow in Macedonia Cemetery in Houston. Visitation will be from 11:00 am until service time at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Serving as pallbearers are Josh Verell, Shayne Verell, Thomas Verell, Blake Long, Andrew Long, and Dylan Long. Honorary pallbearers are Alec Long and Tristin Patterson.
David was a graduate of Houston High School and received his associate degree from Itawamba Community College. He married the love of his life, Delores “Dee” Grant on May 2, 1980 and they “tackled life together”. They always worked together, 50/50, whether it was housework or outside work. David retired in 2003 after 28 years with MS Department of Transportation. He worked there first as a mechanic then as a shop supervisor. He was a talented mechanic. It was said he could diagnose an engine by listening to it over the phone. He dedicated his life to God and family. His only hobbies were his family and helping others. He always welcomed all with “come on it” and loved having a house full of kids, his own and their friends. Known as “Pa Paw” he loved spoiling his grandchildren. He leaves a heritage of love and many happy memories with his family.
David leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Delores “Dee” Long; his sons, B.J. Long and Andrew Long (Jessica) both of Houston; his daughter, Chelley Patterson (Rich Davis) of Amory; his sister, Margie Wooldridge of Meridian; sister-in-law, Maxine Long of Houston; grandchildren, Shayne Verell (Brianna), Josh Verell (Boo), Thomas Verell (Sam), Dylan Long, Blake Long, Alec Long (Brooke), Tristin Patterson, Haley Patterson, J.D. Long, Jon Thomas Long, and Richleigh Davis; seventeen great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse James and Maybell Long; his brothers, James Long and Bobby Long; and his sisters, Peggy Craigo, Virginia Grimes, Billie Jean Long, Grace Long and Joyce Gann.

Online condolences may be left at www.southernfuneralchapel.com

10/22/2025

David Long
Houston-Thomas David Long, 78, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at North MS Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born on September 24, 1947 to Jesse James Long and Maybell Whitt Long.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 1:00 at Southern Funeral Home in Houston. Visitation will be held from 11:00 am until service time at 1:00 pm at the funeral home.

Please remember the Long family in your prayers.

A complete obituary will be posted as soon as available.

Online condolences may be left at

Southern Funeral Home, Inc. Welcomes You. Since 1987, Southern Funeral Home, Inc. has provided dedicated and compassionate care to families of Houston, Mississippi and surrounding communities. Our funeral home offers a range of personalized services for families to honor their loved ones and remembe

10/12/2025

Karen Sarah Beam Collums, 70, passed away at the University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham on Thursday, October 9, 2025. She was born on July 1, 1955, in Kenner, Louisiana, to the late Skeeter Beam and the late Rosa Beam. She was of Christian Faith. Karen was a homemaker for the majority of her life, and she always made sure her family and loved ones were well taken care of. Karen loved spending time with her significant other, Steve Duncan, and she was always ready to tag along with him, no matter what they were doing. She also loved taking care of her yard while she was still able, and she always made sure it looked just the way she wanted it to. Whenever the yard work was finished, she enjoyed sitting outside on her front porch.

Karen was loved deeply by those who knew her, and her family and friends will forever cherish her memory in their hearts.

Southern Funeral Home has the honor of serving Karen’s family.

A Funeral Service celebrating her life will be held on Monday, October 13, at 2:00pm at Southern Funeral Home, with Bro. Lee Dillard officiating. There will also be a visitation on Monday from 12:00pm until service time at the funeral home.

She leaves behind her sons, Buddy Waits of Denham Springs, Louisiana, Eric Waits (Helen) of Saltillo, and Kenny Collums (Angie) of Denham Springs; 9 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Skeeter Beam and Rosa Beam; son, Sidney Collums; sisters, Jacky Davidson and Linda Blades, and her significant other, Steve Duncan.

Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.southernfuneralchapel.com

10/08/2025

Mary Gann
Houston- Mary Gann,92, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at Baptist Desoto Hospital in Southhaven, MS.
A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 3:00 at Fairview Church of God of Prophecy, 1681 Hwy 8 East, Houston, MS. Visitation will be from 1:00 until service time at 3:00 at the church.
Please remember her family in your prayers during this difficult time.
Southern Funeral Home of Houston is honored to serve the Gann family.

A complete obituary will be posted as soon as available.

09/30/2025

John Griffin
Woodland---John Richard Griffin, 62, passed away at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo on Saturday, September 27, 2025. Born February 20, 1963, in Chickasaw County, MS, he was the son of the late John Travis Griffin and the late Diane Gore Peacock. Throughout his school years, he attended East Webster and finished out at Woodland High School. John drove a truck most of his life and for the last 16 years he drove for Alfa Logistics before retiring. John and his family spent many days fishing at Grenada Lake from sunup to sundown. If he wasn’t fishing or around his house tinkering in the yard, you could find him on the backroads somewhere enjoying a ride on his 4-wheeler.

He loved tending to his chickens but after his failing health and was no longer able to tend to them he would still enjoy sitting and watching them from his porch.

John was loved deeply by those who knew him, and they will forever remember him in their hearts.

Southern Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Griffin family.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

He leaves behind his son, Kyle Griffin and fiancé Samantha Brady of Mantee; and ex-wife, Doris Hooks of Woodland; and grandson, Travis Allen Griffin.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at